South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will miss for South Africa's autumn internationals.
South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.
This event happened in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking Wessels on the head.
Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which states:
"A player should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."
The panel concluded that the event met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby regulations for such an violation.
However, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with BĆØgles and Northampton.
The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
